Celtic Diary Saturday December 8: Big Game Today..But Not On The Telly

No wonder the players are showing signs of fatigue, there’s another game today, and its wearing me out just writing about it.

Those who have to do the running about have my utmost sympathy.

Celtic hist top of the table Kilmarnock in what promises to be an intriguing if perhaps not thrilling encounter this afternoon.

Undoubtedly the big match this weekend, and of course due to the intricacies of the tv deal the clubs negotiated through their piss poor front man Neil Doncaster, the game on the telly will be Dundee v “rangers “.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Scotland cannot get a good slice of the television pie is that the two clubs with the largest audience are unwilling to have the cameras in their own grounds too often, and as a result, the tv companies think that showing two teams in a variety of settings isn;t enough of a draw for a neutral audience.

In short, the clubs have made their own bed , and have no right to whinge about how much money they get from tv.

But lets be honest, if a tv executive wants to show the big game this..or any wekend…and the clubs won’t let him, then that is why they throw only their small change up north…

Celtic will have to be at their rampant and ruthless best to get a result today, make no bones about it, as Scotlands top peeping tom, who knows whats going on in every dressing room, Kris Boyd, has spoken out.. again..

Truth is, our target for the season was to stay up.

He means the club, although he does like to try to stay uprght himself, as his body shape makes it tricky to get back up, or stop rolling.

After that, we wanted to try and get into the top six and then maybe challenge for one of the European places.

We’re not top of the table by luck. We are there because we have played winning football.

Right now, we’re just enjoying the ride.

It’s a happy place to be these days and long may that continue.

Our gaffer, Steve Clarke, has instilled a confidence and belief in the squad that’s taking us places.

And the way he has us playing makes it difficult for anybody we play. Whether we’re 1-0 up or 1-0 down, we play in exactly the same way. We all know our jobs.

He’s right. The players at Kilmarnock know who they have to kick, and that helps them immensly. Other Scottish clubs kick anybody who is near them, but Clarke has his chaps much more organised than the ordinary cloggers.

Kilmarnock beat Celtic earlier in the season, a result that prompted the sit down between the powers that be at Celtic and the order from the main man to ” get a fucking grip or the pair of you can fuck off ” , which seems to have had the desired effect.

Today, Celtic need to lay that particular ghost and give themselves a big shot in the arm ahead of the Salzburg game next Thursday.

Nothing can be taken for granted in football, and as Celtic look towards a possible eighth successive title, there was a warning from a man once tipped to be England manager, but not by anyone with any sense..

Mark Warburton, the man who led “rangers ” to whatever it was he led them to , was asked how he thought the league would finish..

“I think it’s Celtic for me, I think Rangers will come second, I think between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen for third place.”

Given what he knows about football I expected him to say he thought Ronnie O’Sullivan would win it, with Andy Murray a close second.

Trouble is, if he reckons Celtic will win it, we’re going to be relegated.

The pressure is on the manager now..

Rodgers isn’t feeling it though, he even joked with a reporter who asked the current situation with Dedryck boyata, by saying

“He’s signed a five year deal ”

There were expectations that the club would use yesterdays press conference to announce that they won;t be taking up the smaller ticket allocation for Ibrox.

However, it now looks like that announcement will be made on the back of the report that will be released shortly that asks questions of the police involvement before and during the Janefield underpass crush.

Well, if they cannot supervise a crowd of thousands safely, how can we expect them to look after 800 ?

I know this will start the argument about if people want to go to Ibrox then they should be allowed to go, but CEO Lawwell has a genuine fear for the safety of fans, employees and players of Celtic.

He does worry, and he is correct in putting those concerns first.

However, if you fancy getting batteries, coins, golf balls and cups full of stale urine flung at you, you go knock yourself out.

But the club has a responsibility to ensure safety, and that cannot be ensured at a place like Iborx, where our crowd would be vulnerable because of piss poor police and a legion of volunteer stewards who at best could be described as value for money.

One solution could be to show the game at Celtic Park on the big screens, whilst another would be to grow a covering of fur, learn how to peel a banana with your feet and go to the Ibrox ticket office and pretend to be one of them.

If two of you go, remember to pick fleas off each other while you wait to be served.

Referee Douglas Ross has claimed that making referees full time won;t stop them from being shite…well, i think thats what he meant..

Referee Douglas Ross has stressed that employing full-time officials at Scottish matches would not stop mistakes and controversial decisions.

Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson has urged authorities to follow England’s lead and employ officials on a full-time basis and pay a salary.

Ross told BBC Scotland he does not think it will make much difference.

“All I would say is, in England, they employ full-time referees and there are still controversies,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the beautiful game that so many of us enjoy, part of the reason many people enjoy it is because it’s down to a matter of opinions.”

He’s got a point, Ross is a full time Conservative MP and he’s not very good at that either.

Celtic should beat Kilmarnock today, but nothing is certain, and it will take a massive effort.

But yet again, Scottish football has failed to promote the best of itself to a wider audience, preferring to stay in its own goldfish bowl where no one pays it too much attention…

Caption
My weans – “Tell all the Huns you know oor Da’s going for 8 in a row”

And if Puggy wins am gonny spike Éduoards gatoraid for Salzburg Ken 😉

Puggy67December 8, 2018 at 11:02 am ·

Will be tough today. As much as I admire Brendan’s style it’s a day for a Grant or a Thompson and like my local council we need more grit.

Caption: Hello your through to the Puggy caption winning complaint line. How can I help?

Hartson's CombDecember 8, 2018 at 11:11 am ·

“However, if you fancy getting batteries, coins, golf balls and cups full of stale urine flung at you, you go knock yourself out.”

I’m no keen to have cups of stale urine flung at me. Cups of fresh urine I’m fine with. But that’s mostly just between me and the missus.

Leigh Griffiths SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 11:28 am ·

Today’s game will be a very revealing game in the context of where we are headed as a side.
We have had through one thing and another two different Celtics on show so far this Season.
One was a stuttering almost pedestrian Celtic who retained the ball without much penetration or cutting edge in attack.
The other a free flowing,fast moving dangerous Celtic getting goals from allover the attack.
Today’s Midfield setup will I think be a big indicator on how Brendan is thinking going forward.
If he chooses to revert back to the McGregor , Rogic – Christie setup I think this could spell out a definite change of direction.
If he reverts back to the more familiar Brown – Ntcham ,One other see up then I think he’s probably going to stick with both these for the remainder of the aseason when fit.
Anything in between would surprise me at this point in the Season given the significance of today’s game.
We can’t afford to start dropping point at home and especially to teams above us in the League.
This is a big game make no bones about it and with next weeks crunch tie on the Horizon getting a good result could set us up nicely going into that.
I am very interested to see how Brendan goes with those available in Midfield today.

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 12:51 pm ·

. Posted my caption entry earlier with a changed name for comedic effect (fuck knows why Puggys won already) and as usual it’s floaring about in the ether and forgot to change it back.
Same as the post further down.
Apologies Ralph.

MontiDecember 8, 2018 at 1:20 pm ·

Fanny!

DocDecember 8, 2018 at 1:30 pm ·

Today’s game will be a challenge, we have zero wins in four games against Clarke, who looks increasingly like he has our number, rather than just being a good manager.

Were it not for dodgy refs, then Killie and ourselves would be well out in front in a two horse race for the title.

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 1:45 pm ·

Agreed Doc bit I am of the opinion that no matter how good a team you have you will have a bogey side.
Used to be Motherwell,then ICT ,now looks like Killie is Brendan’s.
The Lions Lost twice to Dundee United in Season 66-67 losing both games 3-2.
I think it comes down to a clash of styles and setups and not necessarily talent against bogey teams.
Their pitch is a contributory factor as well though.
We struggled to break them down so I think going with the McGregor Rogic Christie setup might be the better option.

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 5:01 pm ·

That settles that then.
Brendan is evidently no fool and has made the right decision today.
There can be no argument about which Midfield trio should start when fit .
No brainer those 3 will destroy the manky mob at Mordor.

Caption, Hello young bhoys and ghirls, I need some advice please could you tell me what ring tone I should have on my new I-phone.
1. Soldiers are wee,
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland,
Some have come,
From a land beyond the wave,
Sworn to be free. OR,

This land is your land, this land is my land,
From the northern highlands, to the western Islands,
From the hills of Kerry, to the streets of Free Derry,
This land was made for you and me.

Oh I just cant get enough, I just cant get enough,
Over and Over, we will follow you.
I thought about Charlie Adams sisters pants, but…

DocDecember 8, 2018 at 1:32 pm ·

Get a weekender if your phone rings near the police.

PhillyDecember 8, 2018 at 12:05 pm ·

There is no way that shit hole is safe for the players or the fans, I think Celtic should refuse to play it, put the bastards on the spot and highlight just how bad the state of affairs are at that ground. Offer to still take the cut in allocation and play the match at a neutral venue with proper stewarding. And for the next game at Parkhead give them fuck all and keep it like that. Kill the so called glamour game because there’s nothing glamorous about it, it’s only glamorous for them.

Leigh Griffiths SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 12:47 pm ·

So we get to play our games against them at home whilst they are forced to play their home game v us at a neutral venue?
Like that is ever going to happen in Scotland.
More chance of Celtic getting an invite to the EPL whilst the away Support conitues sing to fuck the queen and celebrate blowing weans up in the street.

Indeed anyone found glorying that (especially at a Football match) wants to seeking psychiatric help.
You Bhoys seem to have an issue with comprehending the fact I don’t condone ANY violence towards innocent people no matter what cause it is claimed to represent.

It’s all shite.
Sick fucking shite at that.

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 12:18 pm ·

Credit where credit is due and Stevie Clark has done an amazing job at Kilmarnock and it just goes to show, just how much a really good manager can take a team to another level. From a team struggling to stay up, in the SPFL to the very top of the league, Stevie has totally transformed his players, he has filled them with a level of confidence no-one ever thought possible and on a tiny budget. So “hat doffed to you Stevie”.

If Celtic turn up today and play how we know they can play, I could see a big victory for Celtic. So I expect to see our best eleven take the field and to show us all just how good they are. That to me was the big disappointment mid week, if we had taken the three points, which we should have, todays game carries a greater risk. So go on Celtic, play the way we all know how you can play. So my midfield includes Calmac as sitting midfielder along with young Christie, with Forrest, Rogic, Odsonne and Sinclair. I would also drop Gordon and give Scott Bain the yellow, or the green, jersey.

Caption; 1st SFA conference call is abanded due to an oversight… all the callers are in the same room…

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 1:18 pm ·

Caption
The Hague take testimony from the offspring at the Snow White Revelations Trial

The ChaDecember 8, 2018 at 1:21 pm ·

I thought we were all in favour of 3 o’clock Saturday games, as that prioritises the attending fans.

A wild guess, I assume Ralph’s not going.

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 1:37 pm ·

You would think so bud.

The ChaDecember 8, 2018 at 1:47 pm ·

Off oot, as the say.

Perambulating parish perimeters, perchance pre-match pint.

Then settle down to watch the game, on TV, in the pub.

Ain’t life grand, as they say in here. 😉

MontiDecember 8, 2018 at 1:22 pm ·

Caption: ” That’s 7 of us tried to get through, he must be in the loft again, he’ll not get a signal in there “

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 1:45 pm ·

Cap doffed to Steve Clarke, who has taken a team of duffers and relegation strugglers to the top of the league. It just goes to show how much a good manager can lift a club and its support. It is no fluke as last season can testify. Celtic will turn up today, the real Celtic, because if these players have taught us anything it is that if the challenge is presented to them, they will see it off. A tight game today, Steve always has his defence well rehearsed and makes it difficult foe opposition teams to get through them. Calmac and Christie in midfield for me, with Rogic, Forrest Sinclair and Odsonne up front, give Scott Bain the green jersey, his time has come. COYBIG.

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 1:46 pm ·

Two days of posts not appearing, its daen mae heed in..

ChristinaDecember 8, 2018 at 11:01 pm ·

Know what you mean Mike after my third post went missing I kinda lost the will to post anymore! I know it’s not anyone’s fault but it is very frustrating and does put you off. For example, there is a post on here I would dearly love to reply/rant to but I’m thinking not worth the bother it won’t get through!! Petted lip ha ha

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 8:17 am ·

Christina, It is frustrating but its just one of the foibles of the wordpress machine. I posted twice on the last diary about the “yellow Raven” the Lance Armstrong story of cheating but they never appeared till the diary closed, but how can you throw your phone/laptop out the windy knowing that its going to hit your pocket… hard. You know, sometimes when the diary slows down perhaps later on at night, that is a good time to post and get your thoughts down and onto the diary.
You keep plugging away, your posts are relevant and intelligent, its important to get your thoughts onto the diary, so on you GO ghirl, keep posting, posting the night away….

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 8:19 am ·

Christina my reply to you has gone, might see it later, its a conspiracy. HAHA.

Paddybhoy_67December 8, 2018 at 1:47 pm ·

Caption: Sevco’s statement o’clock team prepare an important announcement.

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 1:55 pm ·

The club have a duty of care to its supporters, if any get hurt, will those that tell them to go, take the responsibility or pay compensation, no chance…

ChristinaDecember 8, 2018 at 11:42 pm ·

Absolutely correct Mike – if there are any injuries then Celtic will get hammered for allowing their supporters to be put in harm’s way! No way the Ibrokes club would take responsibility – anyway canny sue them they’re skint! Surely it’s worth supporters sacrificing one game to highlight the safety issues associated with this club? Rodgers & Gerrard are big names in English football media a story this big would certainly make the headlines. Then the obvious question of ‘why’ would have to be asked and TRIFC safety record, including the UEFA restrictions on away support numbers due to safety fears ie Police Scotland saying they couldn’t guarantee their safety, the stabbing incident that wasn’t investigated (or if it was I didn’t read about it), the missile throwing (splitting open the linesman’s head)- just a few of the many issues that could be highlighted. Most of all what could be highlighted is the lack of any action on the part of the police or the footballing authorities! Surely worth one game to get some of that out there for discussion by real journalists who might actually investigate these stories? Might even result in some kind of improved safety measures for away supporters making attendance at future games possible!

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 8:41 am ·

Spot on Christina and very well said- I posted about the young black Arsenal player that was racially abused, the police, I.D. the perpetrator and within hours he was arrested and brought to justice. It seems that either the police here are not very good or there is something else at play. In my “disappeared” post to you above, I mention the “Yellow Raven” the Lance Armstrong cheating story, the press kept his story of corruption and cheating quiet, it took one brave journalist to investigate and eventually to break the news about his doping scandal. This has a baring on Res.12 and the hidden corruption at the bigot dome. You are absolutely correct, all of this needs to be publicised, to highlight the many dangers to our support and to others who go there to watch their team. Very well said. Keep posting, your posts are relevant and intelligent…..

Cartvale88December 8, 2018 at 2:01 pm ·

BR should go back to the free flowing format today, Broonie and Ncham on the bench.

If we score early it could be a goalfest
Caption
Alert sent out as the muppets seen queuing at St Enochs Square to buy their Wankers gear.

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 2:03 pm ·

Gordon, Lustig, Sumo, Benko, Izzy.

Calmac.. Christie,

Rogic.

Forrest, Odsonne, Sinclair. is the team apart from Izzy as KT unwell.

COYBIG.

DavidDecember 8, 2018 at 2:12 pm ·

Caption “that’s THE seven now we are after eight”

BognorbhoyDecember 8, 2018 at 2:28 pm ·

Caption …

If you zoom right in you will see the fenian hand
about to pull the plug on wee shug…

One of those games Jock Stein highlighted about the referee not mattering Charlie.
He was at it and it mattered not one single fucking jot.
Hopefully his Ludge fees trebled after the game.

charlieDecember 8, 2018 at 5:38 pm ·

bgbhoy the bhoys roon aboot me today wer saying jamsie should get the number 7 next season tell the weeman a fuckin luvvum ha ha ha ha

bgbhoyDecember 8, 2018 at 5:52 pm ·

haha he should

stick on for player of the year so far

no doubt Charlie saiz wants Griffiths to get it doubled with deila as manager of the year

charlieDecember 8, 2018 at 6:43 pm ·

ffs donnchadh thinks he should be manager ae the year hees a lumpa wid ignore um

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 8:27 pm ·

Two baws oot the same sack ^

Charlie SaizDecember 8, 2018 at 5:45 pm ·

Tell you what wee Izzy put in some shift considering how few games he has played this Season.
Looked like he was running in quick sand first 20 and blowing a bit but by fuck he settled into it and looked like he’d never been away.

The best performance by Celtic in the first half for ages. Yes Steve Clarke had our number and it was 5 going on 10! Yup Jamesy brought down at least twice in the box in second half and no penalties. Referees start to feel sorry for opposition teams when we are unstoppable as we were today. That would not happen (refereeing sympathies) in Europe. Calmac at the base of midfield showing how fluid the forward passing can be. Great team performance. Felt a little sorry for Sincs not getting a goal – should have been put on a plate by Eddy and hit a post and missed a few. He is not hitting the high notes these days. Thankfully the rest of the team are. Ntcham when he came on looked ring rusty. Izzy showed no rust at all, well done Emilio.
If we can produce that fluidity against Salzburg we will be through after xmas.
HH

SteveNaiveDecember 8, 2018 at 7:26 pm ·

You should have seen it today lads. Passing and moving at speed and we gave Clarke a lesson on how to play football. He was out greetin’ plenty but not as much as the total arse that is Jordan Jones. Mikel gave him too much room early on, not closing down the space between them and he got in a couple of crosses. Thereafter Lustig had the measure of him and his crabbit geetin’ face was a sight to behold. Lazy off the ball, didn#t track back, moaned at the ref (clapped him at one point), raged at the linesman, moaned at his team mates and, despite his skill, is an all round arsehole. MacGregor is absolutely superb at present, our Xavi and helped by Christie and Tom. The applause at half time was a joy and I loved when they turned the lights out after No. 3 then put them back on again as they announced the scorer. With the Killie fans copying all out songs, except their favourite of course, it was, as Ice Cube would say, a Good Day. Ref was poor and the foul was outside the box. Simo. shouldnt have gone to the deck anyway but Gordon nearly saved from the Celtic supporting Eamon Brophy Got that message Monti and will let you know whenever I can.

MontiDecember 9, 2018 at 7:55 am ·

SteveNaive,
Good stuff m8, did your lad enjoy yesterday?

I thought we would dish it out yesterday, get that early goal & keep the tempo up, very impressed.
HH

My Reds had a great result also… 4 2 at home to Glenavon… HH the Reds and the Hoops

BJFDecember 8, 2018 at 9:37 pm ·

Best 45 minutes during the first half I have seen from a Celtic team since Karssin and Lubo, this’s was against the team the “media” thought could do a Leicester City! Odsonne can do better, Jozo maybe a weak link,perhaps more game time would improve his timing but Boyata might be available in the new year if not Ajer will be available so things looking good. Two changes today Jozo for Boyata and Izzy for KT, team not weakened at all whatva change from Motherwell. I don’t think I have ever seen Brendan spend so little time out of the dug our, maybe it was the rain more likely his team didn’t need any pointers could have been seven irveight adceven at the other end of the ground you could see the “ penalty” was outside the box. Another mountain to climb on Thursday, I wonder what watching Salzburg spies made of us today? The replicas need to at least match our result to go ahead in the league though we have the game in hand of course, two if you count Ipox at the end of the month.

MikeDecember 8, 2018 at 10:59 pm ·

Football is such an amazing sport, it reaches inside you and pulls out your guts. Midweek the agony of watching your team lose a last two minute goal and a well deserved win is stolen from inside your heart, you seethe greet and gurn at the injustice of it all. Today, your heart sings, as you watch the players put on a brilliant display of fast interchanging passes, delicate touches and five wonderful goals. Thoughts from the lavvie: Izzy and Lustig did great, Sumo and Benko apart from one or two slack passes second half dealt with everything. Calmac has made defensive mid his own, Christie energetic and what a set piece, Rogical Rogic, strong on the ball and for a gig fella has a sweet touch. I was pleased for Sinclair and for Odsonne who I think were both fantastic. Forrest, getting better and better as he adds a new technique to his goal scoring. I have always liked Steve Clarke as a man and a coach, but no as a bus. So onwards to next week as we meet the challenge from Saltzberg, we just need a draw to see us through, with our confidence high, its going to be a great night under the lights. I read on a Celtic blog that Boyata was tipped for Marseille in January, but that is only hearsay, time will William Tell. “Don’t stop me now, I’m havin a party….. Oh and Nick Walsh, you were shite.

Monti. I didn’t get to the game but reports say it was a good one… Now 4th 🙂

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 12:20 am ·

Whilst I wholeheartedly agree with your point on Racism in Football Monti and 100% back any call for it to be addressed vigorously and stamped out whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head I can’t help but be drawn to the fact that you come across at times as homophobic and more than a tad hypocritical when it comes to ordinary folk asking for the politically based songs and chants to cease at Celtic?
Surely with the sense and clarity you obviously have to see the wrong in racism you can use it and see the problem with celebrating murder and violence as a means to reach a Political solution to the issue of a United Ireland at a Football game in Scotland in 2018?
None of it is right in this day and age and should be called out rightly whenever it raises its head.
Celebrate the Football and the things that unite us all and unite in dismissing the things that come between us?
It’s obviously in you.
HH

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 8:05 am ·

It is as clear as day that the politics of “even things up” has entered the game by the masons in the black. This policy dictates that the team winning on the day or looking the most likely to win, have to put up with any 30-70% decisions going the other way. It is as obvious as it is frustrating. We saw it midweek when a really good goal for Celtic was chalked off, we see it in the hundreds of strange decisions that go the other way. We saw it yesterday, when the mason referee gave Killie a disputable penalty straight away but decided that two foul tackles on Forrest were not a penalty. We see it in the yellow cards rightly awarded against two of our players, while many other yellows that should have been shown to the Killie players, were not given. There can be no other explanation…… or can there!

Charlie SaizDecember 9, 2018 at 10:17 am ·

Nope it is fairly blatant and all you can do is keep highlighting it.

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 9:34 am ·

YOKER good morning, I trust you are well and I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s game, perhaps you like we had a wee celebratory drink. I never saw any of your posts and we always enjoy them. So enjoy what is left of your weekend, perhaps we shall hear from you before or on Thursday. Keep well Yoker and keep it Lit….

Yoker BhoyDecember 9, 2018 at 10:54 am ·

Morning Mikey, how’s it goin’? I’m fine, I was just feeling a bit lazy yesterday so I didnd’t post anything but I enjoyed reading some quality posts from others including your good self. Got my big brother coming over for Christmas, he’s an interesting character and a guid Celtic man so we’re bound to enjoy a great craic over here.

Yesterday was absolutely brilliant and yes, I did go out for a celebration and didn’t get back home till about 4am! That first half really blew me away! The likes of McGregor, Christie, Rogic and Forrest are fast reaching superstar status. A special mention must go to our evergreen Emilio, it’s a great comfort to have quality back-up for KT (to think that left-back has traditionally been a weak position for us). It’s amazing how he can just slot in and do such a professional job for us despite not having been involved with the first team for ages. I think we should extend his one-year contract. He reminds me a bit of a famous Italian international left-back who did wonders for Valencia CF – Carboni. He was still very fast and doing a good job for them at the age of 41!

I’m excited about our showdown with Salzburg on Thursday. It has the makings of a great game where anything could happen. If we can play like we did during the first 45 yesterday, we’re in with a great shout.

Today I’ll check the half-time score for the Dundee – huns game and if I see that the manky beasts are struggling I might well tune in for the 2nd half. Kenny Misser fired in a hat-trick for the Dens Park outfit last weekend and might feel he has a point to prove in today’s game. The huns will be without the suspended Morelos, which could prove to be significant. Later on I might even check out the final of ‘La Copa de Libertadores’, a historic moment featuring two clubs involved (Boca and River) in one of the most bitter rivalries in football history. I don’t expect there to be any more trouble as security as at a maximum.

Hi Mikey, how’s it going matey? My long reply has gone walkies (yet again) but I’m sure it’ll appear tomorrow around the same time as the new Diary.

Yeah, yesterdays first 45 was scintillating stuff and yeah, I was indeed out celebrating – didn’t get back in till about 4am! Can’t wait till Thursday. Delighted with all the players and I think our evergreen Emilio is worth a special mention.

I’ve got a sneaky feeling the huns could drop points this afternoon with Morelos suspended and last weekend’s Dundee hat-trick hero Kenny Misser out to prove a point. Might check out the final of La Copa de Libertadores in the Bernbeu featuring eternal rivals Boca and River later on. Should be a good game and no-one’s expecting any more trouble as security is at a maximum.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

HH

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 11:53 am ·

Great post AGAIN Yoker, was mightily pleased about the performance of the bhoy from Honduras, love the wee man to bits. It seemed that he had never left the L.B. position, he was brilliant. The team picks itself and the improvement from last year is very noticeable. Young Christie, Cal-mac, Rogic, Odsonne and with the stability that Benko offers the back four and the experience of Mr. Polis, they are a joy to watch in full flow. At 4.00am, I had counted over 1000 sheep and my dreams were off the men in the Hoops, this morning when I shaved, I had to iron off the smile creases.

All the best Yoker mate, I am out to check the sheep and repaint their hoops. 😉

Steve NaiveDecember 9, 2018 at 9:48 am ·

Monti
Cathal enjoyed it no end, as any Bhoy would.
You would even enjoyed the disco lights. Am off to deep at Killie shortly with grand weans. Some fat guy with a red suit on a train… possibly Kris Boyd.

Devoy45December 9, 2018 at 11:45 am ·

What I like best about Brendan and his bhoys is that they can always rise to the big occasion, the must-win matches. I was nervously hoping for a 1-0 yesterday but we got the full performance. Football, the beautiful game. Good passing, great pace, attacking, running into space. This habit of blowing away teams above us in the table is a nice habit.That was our best possible lineup yesterday, barring Izzy, who did a great job by the way.
Nobody in our league can live with us when we play at our best. It would be great to see the same on Thursday night. I think we have (and can) translate this into European play. We are now playing the way we did in our unbeaten year.
If Scott Sinclair ever reads this forum then I want to thank you especially. We want you in our lineup and to keep scattering defences the way you do. It also opens up play for our other attacking players.Know that the many thousands of Celtic fans support you against racist abuse and have your back. At your best, you remind me of the way Henrik Larsson could pick up the ball and run into space. We are glad you play for Celtic.
Many thanks to Brendan and the bhoys.
I am critical sometimes simply because I love the Celtic!

Yoker BhoyDecember 9, 2018 at 12:26 pm ·

Excellent stuff Mikey – re Emilio, I think his one year contract should be extended as he still has a lot of footie left in him. It’s a relief to have quality experienced back up for KT in what was a problem position for Celtic for decades. In my missing post I made a comparison of Emilio with Valencia CF Italian legend Carboni, who was a fast and effective left back for this club until the age of 41!

Given his current brilliant form, the silly stories from the bullshit media re Calmac going to an English club in January for around 10M are gathering momentum. I think he’ll stay with us for a good while at least and, if he keeps improving at this rate, he’ll turn out to be worth a helluva lot more than that. Look foward to joining you for a passionate rant on Thursday night!!

MikeDecember 9, 2018 at 12:46 pm ·

Cheers Yoker, and Ditto, back up to cottage an earth pit to dig for earthing rods. The things you learn are never ending, TATA THE NOO.

Charlie SaizDecember 9, 2018 at 1:41 pm ·

Oh my Kenny Miller 1-0

Charlie SaizDecember 9, 2018 at 1:47 pm ·

Dundee now trying their very best to let the Dee hun back into this.

Charlie SaizDecember 9, 2018 at 1:51 pm ·

There you go ref send s a Dundee player off after disputing whether a poor tackle outside the box (a yard) was a penalty or not?
Gives free kick outside the box then sends the defender off straight red.

Fucking cunt.

Charlie SaizDecember 9, 2018 at 1:52 pm ·

1-1 10 men Dundee
Hun believable

Honest hoopsDecember 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm ·

Aaah…the hand of the lodge member to ensure a level playing field….a very harsh red card ..

If you take the Buffalo and McGregor out of their highly vaunted team they would be fighting relegation.
Muir again giving fantasy fouls to his Queens eleven, the wheels about to come off their cart.

Agree with previous comments regarding the lack of action against the thugs that abuse players in this great wee biggotted country, Scottish Polis,the SPFL, SFA, Billy Boys Club and the media are blinded by their own stupidity and bigotry

A title race? aye in their dreams, the only title race is in the Championship. As the Scottish football Champions play a delightful brand of attacking football without the weekly assistance of the fourth estate the polis and the so called funny handshaking brethren of the refereeing fraternity. Racists at Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian and the despots from Govan. Raheem Sterling has also suffered from the mouths of the rancid peepil. We of course have regularly suffered abuse being of the Irish diaspora. Call it out, whenever or wherever you hear it. # No time for bigots or racists.

A crunch top of the table clash and McGregor keeps his place as the defensive midfielder. Is this the changing of the guard for this key position?

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:19 am ·

Yes it is bud.
McGregor is going to save our Club a small fortune in replacing Brown.
He can be our very own version of Verratti at Celtic.

MontiDecember 9, 2018 at 8:22 pm ·

” The British government never had any right in Ireland,
Never can have any right in Ireland,
And never will have any right in Ireland ”

James Connolly,
Commandant General,
Dublin Division,
Army of the Irish Republic,

IRA

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 12:40 am ·

He was spot on in everything he said.
History can back him up on this.
The fact he was a former serving Soldier in the British Army and was stationed in Ireland for an extended period of time obviously had a massive effect on him as a person.
I can totally understand his thinking and reasoning.
What I find incredulous however is having done the same thing ( for a far shorter period of time ) and COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION based on my own EXPERIENCE I find myself on the receiving end of abuse for it from arseholes on here?
These same arseholes who put James a Connolly on a pedestal for his actions in the a Rebellion and who conveniently forget how he arrived at that point in the first place?
Pathetic almost moronic.

Just can’t stop laughing,who will the media invent as title challengers now, Edinburgh City. I was interested to hear rumours of an interest in Shankland from Ayr, understand he is a massive hun and when we looked at him last year he put out social media posts saying he would never sign for “ them” ie us. His loss. We only need a draw on Thursday but the way we are playing we could do them.

MontiDecember 9, 2018 at 10:11 pm ·

Fuck him!

BJFDecember 9, 2018 at 9:47 pm ·

Big question will Broonie be on on Thursday good case for it but who drops out? See what Brendan did yesterday the three likeliest options for inclusion on Thursday, if he makes any changes, in all got game time.

BJFDecember 9, 2018 at 10:41 pm ·

‘Bout covers it.

jimmybeeDecember 9, 2018 at 11:20 pm ·

Caption: hello childline how can we help. You want to become a Tim yes no problem your not the first and most certainly not the last today. Staying the line Billy yellow on its way Hail Hail

Roger Mitchell (ex-SPL’s chief executive) has gone native.
‏
“Since “Armageddon” I’ve been relatively ambivalent about Rangers. Been openly a “move on” guy, but still love to see them struggle, like today. So many bhoys however are clearly obsessed by them. I mean obsessed. Their name, complex insolvency law, Res12, no OldFirm exists.”

What`s the matter Roger? Is your sphincter doing overtime `cause maybe you were involved with the cover-up of corruption?

We have a Friday candidate.

Iancelt67December 10, 2018 at 3:25 am ·

Watching the game yesterday. Rangers play in blue right?

MontiDecember 10, 2018 at 8:03 am ·

Iancelt,
They used to….

iancelt67December 10, 2018 at 8:34 am ·

well who was that playing yesterday? i thought the team the commentator kept calling rangers were terrible .

iancelt67December 10, 2018 at 9:00 am ·

thanks for clearing that up monti i get a bit confused sometimes…sevco, rangers,oldco It gets too much sometimes

MontiDecember 10, 2018 at 9:35 am ·

Iancelt,
If referring to who you were watching yesterday,just add the quotation marks ” rangers “.

Devoy45December 10, 2018 at 5:36 am ·

Charlie Saiz,no grief from me about your time in the military.
In my own family history and in the long story of Ireland, many Irish freedom fighters learned their trade in the British Army: John Devoy and all the auld Fenians, Connolly of course and many many others. Life is not so simple and the army has given many working-class lads a means to stay alive at a crucial time in their lives. We are born into this life and planet but none of us made the rules. My uncle, from the same long Irish line as me died fighting fascism at the age of 26.
Anyway, Charlie Saiz, no knee-jerk reactions from me on that score. We all support the Celtic so we belong to the same band of brothers. Cheeers man.

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 9:43 am ·

Good man Devoy and as ever a wealth of information.
I had no idea that so many had been recruited yet again it is proven that every day is indeed a school day.
So long as we are learning and have an open mind for change then all will be well.
Hands across the sea bud and as always HH

alanDecember 11, 2018 at 1:47 pm ·

they also gave many young irish men a means to die.

its a very tough subject in this country. I see why many Irish men joined the British Army. for many, it was the only way to feed their famnilies. but whose fault was it that was so? the british rulers, of course.

so by joining their army, were these men perpetetuating Britsh Rule? probably.

but the British still recruit from the huge employment black spots of places like Newcastle and Glasgow cos its cheaper than improving the lives of the people of these places.
and you get to keep the weapons industry going cos if you use the weaponry I countries that just happen to have oil, they must be replaced.

its a dirty business.

BgbhoyDecember 10, 2018 at 7:21 am ·

BRITS OUT

MontiDecember 10, 2018 at 8:06 am ·

OH MOMMA OH MOMMA COMFORT ME……..

MikeDecember 10, 2018 at 9:12 am ·

OH DEAR.

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 9:44 am ·

Yep that will be the eventual outcome.
Only a matter of time.

Devoy45December 10, 2018 at 9:13 am ·

Cheers, Charlie Saiz.
The old Fenian John Devoy recruited nearly 80,000 British soldiers to the Fenian cause. He recruited them from within the British Army, which takes some courage. Sometimes, it is more effective to recruit from within the belly of the beast. A means to an end.
Thursday night:
Gordon
Lustig/Simunovic/Benkovic/Tierney
McGregor/Christie
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Edouard
1-1 will see us through but we might just nick all three points.
I also think Rosenborg might draw in Germany, which will also see us through regardless.
Peace and good health to all of you…

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 9:51 am ·

That would have been a wise move given the level of training they had by comparison.

I should think that will be the line up though possibly as a 4-3-3 as opposed to a 4-2-3-1
As I think we must go for it from the off on the front foot and not let up.
Sitting off a team like Salzburg is not an option.
Good thing is starting with that 11 leaves a very strong bench if we do manage to secure a lead going into the last 30’.
You would expect Leipzig to win but their form has dropped off recently and Rosenborg will have a point to prove having not picked up a single point yet in the Group.
God bless bud
HH

henkesdreadlocksDecember 10, 2018 at 10:30 am ·

If you watch the Salzburg game back, they were no great shakes. We played poorly throughout and certainly not to the levels we have performed to since on occasion. if we play to the levels we can, we’ll get a result that we need.

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:44 am ·

I agree Andy we were well off the pace so perhaps it might be a shock to them if we are get at it and put them on the back foot from the off?also I see they dropped points at the weekend to the bottom side in their League.
The home support as always could be a major factor if we can get a good head of steam up and keep it going.
I would dearly love to see us exert sustained pressure on them for the full 90 amd out a marker down.

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:44 am ·

And put’

MontiDecember 10, 2018 at 9:17 am ·

SAY HELLO TO THE PROVOS!

UnaDecember 10, 2018 at 9:46 am ·

Looking at the fixtures for the festive season i see us having an 11 point lead for the winter break

MontiDecember 10, 2018 at 9:52 am ·

Una,
You also had sevco as champions a few weeks ago….
You’re a bit up & down….

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:00 am ·

I thought they were Champions for 3 days?

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 9:55 am ·

Interesting to read this Morning that Slippy G missed having a word with the Official yesterday after Huvinalafferty’s goal was wrongly chalked off for offside yesterday?
One can only imagine there was no sprint for the Officials office when the Morelos one was ruled onside at Swinecastle v Hearts?
Sure these things even themselves up over a Season Slippy 😉

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:22 am ·

5 points separates the top 5 teams in Scotland’s top flight.
The SPFL title race is currently the tightest top flight League race in all of Europe’s main Leagues.

Charlie SaizDecember 10, 2018 at 10:07 pm ·

A quote from the BBC story on recent valuations from CIES Football Observatory
“Meanwhile, the value of Liverpool’s 24-year-old Scotland defender Andrew Robertson has risen by £28.92m to £72.12m”
Great news for Peter Lawwell and Celtic slap a £60m clause on KT’s contract ASAP